Departmental Secondment (Hansard, 8 August 1980)

§ Mr. Dubs
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many civil servants in his Department were seconded to outside occupations in each of the last 10 years in order to broaden their experience; and which specific types of employment were involved;
(2) how many people were temporarily seconded to his Department from outside occupations in each of the last 10 years; and from what types of employment they came.

§ Mr. Mark Carlisle
No permanent records are maintained about such secondments. The following tables contain the information which is readily available;

§ Dr. Boyson
The Government's expenditure plans for 1980–81, as embodied in the rate support grant settlement, allow for a total subsidy on school meals of some £200 million (November 1979 prices). It is for local authorities to determine in the light of this and the discretion available to them under the Education Act 1980 what subsidy to provide for free meals and those sold to pupils.

§ Mr. Speller
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the Government plan to take steps to allow local authorities to charge for facilities for children bringing their own food; or whether they will include this expenditure in calculation for rate support grant.

§ Dr. Boyson
The Government decided not to allow a charge to be levied on children bringing their own food and local education authorities are precluded from doing so under section 22 of the 365W Education Act, 1980. The Government's expenditure plans allow for continued net expenditure on the school meals service and it is for local education authorities to make suitable provision within the resources available.

§ Mr. Speller
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether it is Government policy to allow local authorities to abandon the school meals service in part or in whole.

§ Dr. Boyson
Government policy is that local education authorities should have the maximum possible freedom to decide in the light of local circumstances and priorities what provision should be made for school meals and what charges should be made. My right hon. and learned Friend does not advocate abandoning the school meals service in whole or in part, but an authority has the power to do so.